Churchill drub MEG, Bangalore 4-0 in Durand Cup

New Delhi, Nov 10 (UNI) Onyeka Okolie scored a fine brace as Churchill Brothers, Goa, thrashed MEG, Bangalore 4-0 while an injury time strike by Ajit Singh helped Assam Rifles edge out J&K Bank 2-1 in the qualifying round ties of the 119th Osian's Durand Cup football tournament here today.

Okolie found the net in the 73rd and 89th minutes while Nicholas Muyoti scored in between in the 83rd minute after Drupesh Desai opened the account in the 22nd minute.

Churchill, which will feature in this year's NFL first division after finishing runners-up in the NFL second division, toyed with their rivals throughout the match, especially in the second half.

The Goan side dominated the first half with their midfield taking control early in the match and feeding their striker Nigerian import Okolie who, in turn, threatened the rival defence with some individual efforts.

Okolie's solo runs became a torrent in the scond half, threatening to score everytime he touched the ball, as Churchill completely took hold over the match.

Both of Okolie's goals were solo efforts. The first one he blasted home after collecting the ball at the left egde of the box and dodging past all the defenders who came his way. His second goal saw less number of defenders he doged past but no less spectacular as he fired a right footer from an acute angle into the goal with hapless goalkeeper remaining a mute spectator.

In the other match, 'Assam Rifles' Ajit Singh fired home in the injury time (93rd minute) after J&K Bank's Rizwan Sheikh put his side ahead in the 47th minute and Naoba Singh equalised in the 67th minute.

Meanwhile, the qualifying round matches scheduled from November 11 to 14 will be held at NWC, Race Course instead of Ambedkar Stadium which is hosting Childrens Day celebrations on November 14.

Tomorrow's matches: BSF VS IAF XI 1300 hrs Salgaocar VS Navy XI 1500 hrs UNI PDS XY VV1822